KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken closed in Ensley — KFC in Ensley announced its closure with its street readerboard and a printed sign on the doors. (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

The KFC located at 1800 20th Street Ensley has closed its doors for good. The permanent closure of this location leaves the Ensley neighborhood with one less national fast food chain, highlighting ongoing conversations about economic investment and food accessibility in the area.

KFC Birmingham AL closure details

The building at the corner of 20th Street Ensley and Avenue East was built in 1980, according to county tax records. Its closing follows a pattern of national chains adjusting their footprints across the region.

For local residents who rely on the corridor for quick dining options, the empty drive-thru marks the end of corporate commercial presence in the immediate neighborhood footprint, said Brian Rice, an Ensley resident and local property investor.

Fast-food chains leave Ensley neighborhood

With the closure of this KFC, Ensley no longer hosts any major national fast-food brands, Rice said. The neighborhood lost its McDonald’s and Burger King locations a few years ago.

Rice shared news of the national chain location closing last week, Thursday, June 18. The post garnered hundreds of comments from locals discussing the causes and effects of the store closing.

Ensley residents noted that, although it may not seem like a big deal, it means traveling further across town to purchase food, meaning the revenue is put into another community.

Rice shared his perspective on the neighborhood’s changing commercial landscape and what this exit signifies for the community with Bham Now:

“I don’t think it’s just about the closing of that KFC, whether it was good or bad. It is more that Ensley has been hurting for a long time and it’s not the ideal place for national chains to invest in the current environment.”

“For the community, the people who live there, it’s just another disappointment in an already hurting place.”

Birmingham food deserts + economic impact

The departure of corporate dining options amplifies ongoing discussions around food security. While fast-food chains provide few healthy options, their total absence leaves fewer immediate food choices within walking distance for residents, Rice said.

Rice noted that the area has lacked comprehensive healthy food options for decades, dating back to the mid-1980s. He emphasized that the situation requires a broader look at the overall economic strategy for the neighborhood.

“For me, it’s much bigger than just a KFC leaving — it’s not just about food. It’s about the totality of the economic environment. It is a hurting community…We see burned buildings and we see demolition, and then we celebrate when it’s demolition, but we’re not celebrating development, and that’s what’s disappointing.”

Community leaders and residents continue to look for sustainable development and public sector support to bring new retail, fresh food options and property investment back to the historic 20th Street corridor.

Where to eat in Ensley

Although KFC is closed, there are a handful of other locally-owned restaurants nearby for residents and visitors to choose from.

Hotplates: 205-718-5099 | Facebook | Instagram
Address: 2017 Avenue F, Suite B, Ensley
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11AM-8PM, Sunday closed

Green Acres Restaurant: 205-786-7040 | Website
Address: 913 20th Street Ensley, Ensley
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9AM-5:30PM, Sunday closed

Q’s Bar & Grill: 205-281-5113 | Facebook
Address: 815 19th Street Ensley, Birmingham
Hours: Wednesday 5PM-midnight, Thursday-Saturday 5PM-2AM, Sunday 5:30PM-2AM, Monday-Tuesday closed

Stop & Shop Square: 205-788-4411
Address: 1200 14th Street Ensley, Birmingham
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 9AM-5PM, Monday-Tuesday closed